Preparation and characterization of chitin whisker-reinforced silk fibroin nanocomposite sponges

摘要: For highly porous form such as sponges or scaffolds, the induction of β-sheet formation silk fibroin to make water-stable materials usually results in their high shrinkage leading a difficulty controlling shape and size materials. Thus, objective this study was improve dimensional stability sponge by incorporating chitin whiskers nanofiller. Chitin exhibited average length width 427 43 nm, respectively. Nanocomposite at weight ratio (C/S ratio) 0, 1/8, 2/8, 4/8 were prepared using freeze-drying technique. The dispersion embedded matrix found be homogeneous. presence into not only improved its but also enhanced compression strength. Regardless whisker content, SEM micrographs showed that all samples possessed an interconnected pore network with 150 μm. To investigate feasibility nanocomposites for tissue engineering applications, L929 cells seeded onto surfaces, indicated both without cytocompatible. Moreover, when compared neat sponge, incorporation promote cell spreading.